The inaugural SA Grand Prix Masters race at Kyalami on Sunday promises to be a closely fought spectacle, despite the light-hearted nature among the drivers at a gathering in Nelson Mandela Square in Sandton yesterday.

With the likes of Formula 1 legends such as Nigel Mansell, Alan Jones, Rene Arnoux, Emerson Fittipaldi, Ricardo Patrese, Patrick Tambay, Jacques Lafitte and Murray "The Voice" Walker in attendance, the level of commitment to the first ever Grand Prix Masters cannot be questioned.

These are all stars in their own right. Jones and Mansell each won the Formula 1 World Championship, while Fittipaldi won twice _ in 1972 and 1974. The Brazilian then added to his double triumph with two victories (1989 and 1993) in the Indycar Series to further stamp his mark as one of the greatest racing car drivers of all time.

Patrese was an ever-present in Formula 1 in the late 80s and early 90s, finishing third twice (1989 and 1991) and ending runner-up to Britain's Mansell in 1992 for the Driver's Championship.